#MeToo Defamation Case: 'MJ Akbar a Thorough Gentleman', Woman Journalist Joyeeta Basu Tells Court

New Delhi, November 12: Appearing before the Delhi court hearing former Union Minister MJ Akbar's defamation case against journalist Priya Ramani, Sunday Guardian editor Joyeeta Basu said Akbar is a man of ethics and principle, who would never hurt the modesty of a woman.

Akbar is a "thorough gentleman," Basu added, while claiming that the 20-odd female scribes who have pressed sexual harassment allegations against the veteran editor are trying to defame him and tarnish his legacy. MJ Akbar Accused of Rape by Former Asian Age Journalist, #MeToo Continue to Haunt Ex-Union Minister.

"I have seen tweets by Priya Ramani dated October 10, 2018 and October 13, 2018. I have overcome by doubts but I know from the number of questions raised by people, I know personally that his reputation has been destroyed and damaged irreparably," Basu told the court.

"After reading these these tweets by Ramani, I believe that this vilification was conducted and the tweets were published intentionally by Ramani with a purpose to harm Akbar's good reputation and goodwill in the eyes of society," she said.

The journalist said that she has worked with Akbar for 20 years and had not heard anything "untoward" from the staff of the organisation where they worked together. He was a public figure who was held in high esteem.

"I have always held Mr Akbar in high regard. He has been perfectly professional in his dealings with me. He has always been a tough taskmaster, a thorough professional and a brilliant teacher," she added.

Basu said that she was "shocked, disappointed, embarrassed" to see Ramani's tweets against Akbar and "in spite of my experience with him, his image, his reputation took a beating in my eyes on reading these posts.

"It was aggravated during my interaction with friends and colleagues who had read and heard about the widely publicised tweets and articles and asked me whether he was really like that? They questioned his character and said that his image has taken a severe beating and had been lowered in their eyes. They said that his reputation had been permanently damaged as far as they were concerned," she said.

After Basu recorded her statement before the bench, the court adjourned the matter till December 7.

The defamation suit was filed by Akbar last month, after returning from Africa in what was list assignment as the Union Minister of State in External Affairs. He stepped down from the post in the wake of serious allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by his former associates under the #MeToo campaign.

(With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2018 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).